Is Hell Real?

Read

Matthew 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

2 Thessalonians 1:9 "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might."

Think

Hell is a topic many avoid, but the Bible makes it clear that hell is real. It’s not just a symbol or a metaphor but a place of eternal separation from God. Hell is the final destination for those who reject God's offer of salvation. The Bible vividly describes it as a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42), where the absence of God's presence leads to unimaginable suffering. This separation from the Creator is the deepest pain one can experience, as everything good comes from God.

But why does hell exist? Hell is not an arbitrary punishment but the natural result of rejecting God. God’s justice requires that sin be addressed. As 17th-century theologian Richard Baxter wrote, “It is a most astonishing thing that men should be so careless of a place of torment.” Hell exists because sin separates us from a holy God, but it also underscores the beauty of salvation offered in Christ. God doesn’t send people to hell—people choose separation from him by rejecting his offer of love and redemption.

Many struggle with the emotional weight of hell, finding it difficult to reconcile with the love of God. It’s not about fear but understanding the depth of God’s love and the seriousness of sin. Hell magnifies the grace of God, showing us how much he has saved through Christ’s sacrifice. God doesn’t wish for anyone to perish but desires everyone to come to him. The choice is ours, and God’s arms are open wide.

The reality of hell should stir us—not with fear, but with deep gratitude for God’s grace. Knowing what Christ saved us from should fill us with awe and urgency for those who don’t know him. Hell isn’t about condemnation; it’s about our hope in Jesus, who gave his life to rescue us. Let this truth inspire us to live purposefully and share the message of salvation, offering others the chance to choose life in him.

Apply

This week, pray for someone in your life who doesn’t yet know Christ. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share the message of salvation with them, whether through a conversation or simply inviting them to church.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Please give me compassion for those who don’t yet know you and the courage to share the truth of your love and salvation. Help me live each day with a sense of urgency, not out of fear, but out of love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.